Desiree Vignes

Desiree Vignes is one of the protagonists of the novel. She is the daughter of Leon and Adele Vignes, and Stella Vignes' twin sister. Her husband is Sam Winston, and her daughter is Jude Winston. As a young girl, Desiree grows up in Mallard, Louisiana with her family. When she and Stella are young, their father is violently murdered by a band of white men. After Leon's death, Adele withdraws the girls from school so they can help her support the family. Desiree is perpetually restless, eager to get out of Mallard as soon as possible. She concocts a plan to escape, encouraging her quieter sister to come with her.

She and Stella then move to New Orleans and start a life together. Desiree convinces herself that she is the stronger of the two twins, and that Stella will not be able to survive without her. When...